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Monday, September 12, 2016

All RCAF Sea Kings to be retired by December 2018

By: David Pugliese, Defence Watch

The retirement of the RCAF’s 28 Sea King helicopters is ongoing and on schedule to conclude by December 2018, according to the Department of National Defence. To date, six aircraft have been removed from flying status, department spokeswoman Ashley Lemire told Defence Watch.

“Operational employment of the Cyclone will begin in 2018, ahead of final Sea King retirement, utilizing the Block 1 (Capability Release 1.1 and 1.2) aircraft version,” she added.

And what will or could become of the 28 Sea Kings? Lemire said the aircraft could be sold, transferred, donated, destroyed or retained for historical purposes. But at this point the RCAF doesn’t have an exact plan – it’s being worked on but I would expect at least some will be retained for museums and static displays on bases.